CONSULTATION OUTCOMES AND SUBMISSIONS REPORT - Level Crossing Removal Project · 2016-04-22 ·...

CONSULTATION OUTCOMES AND

SUBMISSIONS REPORT

Level Crossing Removal Project Caulfield to Dandenong

April 2016

!!

!Level!Crossing!Removal!Authority!Consultation!Report!|!3!

!

Table!of!contents!!Executive summary .............................................................................................................................................................. 4!Part A: Engagement program and findings ....................................................................................................................... 11!1! About the consultation program .................................................................................................................................. 12!2! Consultation activities .................................................................................................................................................. 13!3! Findings and feedback ................................................................................................................................................ 17!Part B: Submissions and detailed responses .................................................................................................................... 29!4! About the written submissions process ....................................................................................................................... 30!5! Community consultation .............................................................................................................................................. 32!6! Design ......................................................................................................................................................................... 33!7! Community facilities .................................................................................................................................................... 35!8! Noise and vibration ...................................................................................................................................................... 36!9! Amenity impacts .......................................................................................................................................................... 37!10! Neighbourhood character .......................................................................................................................................... 39!11! New public open space areas ................................................................................................................................... 40!12! Vegetation ................................................................................................................................................................. 42!13! Traffic and transport .................................................................................................................................................. 43!14! Property and business ............................................................................................................................................... 45!15! Legal process ............................................................................................................................................................ 46!16! Safety issues ............................................................................................................................................................. 47!17! Construction impacts ................................................................................................................................................. 48!18! Future capacity .......................................................................................................................................................... 49!!

!

!

! !

!!


!

Executive!summary!This!report!describes!the!2016!consultation!program!for!the!Level!Crossing!Removal!Project:!Caulfield!to!Dandenong,!including!the!public!submissions!received!and!proposed!response!to!issues!raised.!

About!this!report!This!report!has!been!prepared!in!response!to!the!consultation!program!undertaken!in!2016!for!the!Level!Crossing!Removal!Project:!Caulfield!to!Dandenong,!and!the!feedback!received!from!the!community,!businesses,!stakeholders!and!government!agencies!during!this!consultation!program.!It!describes!the!written!public!submissions!received!during!the!formal!consultation!period,!from!8!February!until!18!March!2016,!and!provides!a!response!to!the!issues!raised!during!the!consultation!period.!

Structure!of!this!report!This!report!has!been!structured!into!two!parts:!!

! Part*A:*consultation*program*and*findings.!!This!section!provides!a!comprehensive!description!of!the!activities!undertaken!by!the!Level!Crossing!Removal!Authority!(LXRA)!throughout!February!and!March!2016!to!consult!with!residents!in!the!project!corridor,!traders!in!key!business!centres,!a!large!group!of!stakeholders,!including!peak!bodies!and!industry!groups,!the!wider!community!and!the!four!councils!within!the!project!corridor.!

! Part*B:*written*submissions*and*responses.!!This!section!identifies,!categorises!and!responds!to!the!key!issues!raised!during!the!consultation!program!including!the!1,573!written!submissions!received!during!the!formal!consultation!period.!

Project!overview!The!Level!Crossing!Removal!Project:!Caulfield!to!Dandenong!is!part!of!the!Victorian!Government's!project!to!remove!50!dangerous!and!congested!level!crossings!across!Melbourne!by!2022.!It!forms!part!of!the!broader!program!of!works!to!upgrade!and!improve!capacity!on!the!Cranbourne]Pakenham!rail!line.!

Removing!nine!level!crossings!between!Caulfield!and!Dandenong!will!improve!safety!and!increase!patronage!on!Melbourne's!busiest!rail!line.!It!will!reduce!congestion!making!travel!around!our!south]eastern!suburbs!quicker!and!easier,!and!enhance!local!community!facilities!with!new!stations!to!be!built!at!Carnegie,!Murrumbeena,!Hughesdale,!Clayton!and!Noble!Park.!The!project!includes!signalling!and!power!upgrades!and!will!create!over!2,000!jobs.!

The!nine!level!crossings!are:!

! Grange!Road,!Carnegie.!! Koornang!Road,!Carnegie.!!! Murrumbeena!Road,!Murrumbeena.!!! Poath!Road,!Hughesdale.!! Clayton!Road,!Clayton.!! Centre!Road,!Clayton.!!! Corrigan!Road,!Noble!Park.!!! Heatherton!Road,!Noble!Park.!!! Chandler!Road,!Noble!Park.!! !

!!


!

During!early!2016,!LXRA!sought!community!feedback!on!the!preferred!design!for!the!Caulfield!to!Dandenong!project.!The!design!proposed!is!a!modern!elevated!railway!that!has!many!benefits!including!reduced!rail!noise,!improved!connectivity!and!access!through!local!precincts!as!well!as!the!creation!of!new!public!open!space.!Seven!new!dedicated!community!spaces!along!the!corridor!will!be!developed!in!partnership!with!councils,!based!on!community!feedback!discussed!in!this!report.!

Key!elements!of!this!consultation!phase!Although!elevated!rail!is!common!in!both!Australia!and!around!the!world,!this!design!is!a!new!way!of!removing!level!crossings!in!this!community!and!there!are!changes!and!impacts!that!need!to!be!well!communicated!and!managed.!!

The!consultation!program!for!the!project!was!designed!to!ensure!maximum!stakeholder!and!community!awareness!of!the!project.!Every!opportunity!was!taken!to!provide!access!to!information!and!enable!discussions!with!LXRA!on!the!proposed!design!and!likely!temporary!construction!impacts,!including!how!previous!feedback!had!informed!the!proposed!design.!!

The!proposed!design!presents!an!excellent!opportunity!to!enhance!public!open!spaces!along!the!project!corridor.!The!community’s!views!were!sought!on!preferences!for!uses!in!these!spaces!to!ensure!the!spaces!are!well!used!for!generations!to!come.!!

Additionally,!the!consultation!program!was!designed!to!provide!easily!accessible!information,!including!on!how!to!make!a!written!submission.!

Importantly,!the!consultation!process!was!an!opportunity!to!gather!feedback!and!responses!that!would!then!be!considered!to!inform!the!best!design!solution!for!the!project.!Input!from!residents!closest!to!the!rail!corridor!was!important!in!understanding!the!issues!and!impacts!from!this!design;!feedback!from!the!wider!community,!rail!passengers!and!key!stakeholder!groups!was!also!important!given!the!project’s!significance!to!the!whole!of!Victoria.!Other!key!considerations!in!the!selection!of!the!preferred!design!included!the!key!project!objectives;!engineering!constraints;!impacts!from!construction!(including!road!and!rail!disruption);!and!environmental!concerns.!

It’s!important!to!note!that!the!purpose!of!this!consultation!stage!was!to!ensure!that!the!community!could!provide!input!and!add!value!to!the!proposed!design!to!ensure!the!best!outcome!for!the!broader!community.!

Our!consultation!program!The!consultation!program!was!split!into!four!phases,!based!on!the!procurement!stages!for!the!project.!Phases!1!to!3!started!in!August!2015!and!over!1,500!pieces!of!feedback!were!received!through!social!pinpoint!(an!online!consultation!tool),!seven!information!sessions,!feedback!forms!and!emails.!This!included!survey!responses!from!140!traders.!The!outcomes!from!this!phase!were!summarised!in!a!publicly!available!Consultation!Report:!Level!Crossing!Removal!Project!Caulfield!to!Dandenong!(November!2015).!

During!this!consultation!process,!it!was!clearly!stated!that!LXRA!was!considering!all!options!for!removing!the!nine!level!crossings,!including!elevated!rail!and!‘trenched!or!rail!under’!options.!Examples!from!around!the!world!were!on!display!at!the!sessions.!!

Over!February!and!March!2016,!LXRA!undertook!an!extensive!consultation!program!on!the!proposed!design!for!the!project.!This!program!has!included!door!knocks!and!meetings!with!over!170!individual!owners!closest!to!the!rail!corridor,!and!meetings!with!over!80!local!businesses.!Over!2,200!individuals!participated!in!the!10!interactive!Your!Suburb,!Your!Say!consultation!sessions!across!Carnegie,!Murrumbeena,!Hughesdale,!Clayton!and!Noble!Park,!while!thousands!of!people!discussed!the!project!with!LXRA!at!60!pop!up!information!stands!at!train!stations,!libraries!and!shopping!areas.!!

LXRA!met!with!a!large!number!of!stakeholders,!including!all!four!councils!across!the!project!corridor!to!discuss!the!planning!approval!and!submissions!process.! !

!!


!

Consultation!with!the!wider!community!in!the!suburbs!where!the!project!will!be!delivered!was!also!carried!out.!LXRA!engaged!EY!Sweeney!to!consult!on!broader!community!views!on!the!project!in!March!2016,!which!covered!residents,!train!users!and!traders!in!the!local!areas.!This!included!over!400!face]to]face!interviews!with!residents,!over!600!face]to]face!commuter!surveys!at!train!stations!along!the!corridor!and!over!140!face]to]face!interviews!with!traders!in!the!project!area.!

All!of!these!activities!have!provided!LXRA!with!a!huge!amount!of!valuable!feedback,!which!is!summarised!below.!

About!the!submissions!process!LXRA!sought!written!submissions!on!the!proposed!designs!for!the!Level!Crossing!Removal!Project:!Caulfield!to!Dandenong!during!the!formal!consultation!period,!which!was!conducted!from!8!February!until!18!March!2016.!!

Part!B!of!this!report!describes!the!issues!raised!by!the!written!submissions!and!LXRA's!response!to!key!issues!raised!during!the!consultation!program,!including!the!formal!written!submissions.!

In!total!1,573!written!submissions!were!received!from!a!variety!of!sources!including!residents,!owners,!businesses,!community!and!interest!groups!and!councils.!Submissions!were!made!through:!

! Submission!forms!(Appendix!A)!completed!at!public!information!sessions!and!other!events.!!! Online!submission!form!on!the!LXRA!website.!! Email!to!the!LXRA!email!account!where!content!was!judged!to!comprise!a!written!submission.!

Written!submissions!were!encouraged!on!any!aspect!of!the!project!and!its!design.!

What!we!heard!!Table*1:*Summary*of*all*feedback*received*

Activity* Statistics* Key*findings*

Wider!community!consultation!

2,200!telephone!interviews.!!440!face]to]face!interviews.!663!train!users!interviews.!144!business!interviews.!!

82!per!cent!of!residents!in!favour!of!project!and!its!design.!

Key*benefits!!Reduction!in!road!congestion!and!improvements!in!road!user!and!pedestrian!safety.!!

Key*concerns!The!majority!of!respondents!did!not!raise!any!concerns,!but!the!two!mentioned!most!were!changes!to!environment!and!rail!noise.!

Suggestions!for!land!use!under!the!elevated!rail!

N/A! Local*preferences*(online*and*information*sessions):!Green!parks!were!the!preference!in!all!locations!except!for!Ross!Reserve!where!a!BBQ!area!was!the!first!preference,!followed!by!green!parks.!!

Wider*community*views*(community*consultation):!Top!three!responses!were!community!parking!(37%),!green!parks!(34%)!and!community!gardens!(31%)!

Written!submissions! 1,573!written!submissions.! Elevated!rail!! 67%!of!submissions!Visual!impact!! 43%!of!submissions!Train!noise!! 38%!of!submissions!Consultation!on!design!options!!(506!submissions)!

32%!of!submissions!Graffiti,!vandalism!and!waste!!(479!submissions)!

31%!of!submissions!

!! !

!!


!

Our!responses!LXRA!has!analysed!all!of!the!feedback!received!through!the!recent!consultation!program,!written!submissions!and!comments!received!through!social!media.!This!community!feedback!is!being!used!to!further!enhance!the!proposed!design!–!the!feedback!and!submissions!we!have!received!has!helped!identify!some!refinements!to!the!design!and!construction!methodology.!It!has!guided!decision!making!on!a!number!of!management!measures!for!the!project.!!

Below!summarises!the!40!initiatives!that!LXRA!will!implement!on!the!project!to!address!suggestions!and!comments!received!to!date.!As!the!project!progresses!into!detailed!design,!LXRA!will!continue!to!consult!with!residents,!traders,!councils!and!other!groups!to!ensure!the!project!delivers!the!outcomes!expected!by!our!community!and!the!Government.!

Figure*1:*How*we*are*responding*to*community*feedback*

!!! !

TABLE 2: How we are responding to community feedback

New initiative in response to consultation Enhanced initiative in reference design

B1 Minimising the bulk of the elevated structure and its potential impact on visual amenity and overshadowing where possible.

B2 Installing escalators at Carnegie, Murrumbeena and Hughesdale stations, in addition to those already provided for at Clayton and Noble Park stations.

B3 Providing uninterrupted power supply for lifts at train stations to ensure the safety of passengers.

B4 Delivering extra enhancements at Oakleigh, Huntingdale, Yarraman and Sandown stations to improve the customer experience.

B5 Committing to a new station at Noble Park.

DES

IGN

New initiative in response to consultation

A1 Creating stakeholder liaison groups for all three areas to provide input on key local issues throughout delivery of the project.

A2 Implementing dedicated liaison programs with non-English speaking communities to facilitate greater opportunities for engagement, employment and skills development.

A3 Getting community input into specific aspects of the community spaces, such as naming of structures and newly-created parkland.

A4 Making technical information more accessible by providing detailed reports on the options assessment and design benefits.

A5 Continuing engagement during design development on key local community features like landscaping and privacy screens.

COM

MU

NIT

Y C

ON

SULT

ATIO

N

!!


!

!! !


C1 Working with the Clayton RSL and community to revive the Clayton Avenue of Honour as a major community facility.

C2 Establishing of partnership with Chisholm TAFE to create long-term sustainable skills legacy for the region.

COM

MU

NIT

Y F

ACIL

ITIE

S


D1 Individual liaison with residents on the appearance, height and location of noise walls will continue throughout detailed design.

D2 Installing noise walls along the elevated structure to meet the Victorian Government’s Passenger Rail Infrastructure Noise Policy.

NOI

SE &

VIB

RATI

ON


E1 Providing a fencing and landscaping program for residential properties that abut the rail corridor to reduce the visual impact of the rail structure and address the change in use of the rail reserve to public open space.

E2 Providing privacy screening along the elevated structure to prevent overlooking into residential properties.

AMEN

ITY

IMPA

CTS


F1 Relocating the Noble Park substation to provide greater open space in the station precinct.

F2 Establishing working groups with each council to review station precinct designs and optimise integrated development opportunities.

NEI

GHBO

URH

OOD

CH

ARAC

TER

!!


!

! !New initiative in response to consultation Enhanced initiative in reference design

G1 Establishing a community open space expert panel to provide oversight, governance and reassurance about the use and ongoing maintenance of the new public open spaces.

G2 Committing to a $15 million funding trust for the long term maintenance of the public open spaces.

G3 Providing an enhanced PSO facility at Noble Park Station to improve security for train users.

G4 Developing a plan for optimised lighting on shared-user paths.

G5 Developing seven community activation spaces along the length of the linear park for green spaces, fitness stations, BBQ areas and playgrounds.

G6 Implementing a creative urban design program with local schools, community groups and/or artists to develop solutions for the new open spaces and to tackle graffiti and vandalism

G7 Providing 225,000 square metres of new community space.

NEW

PU

BLI

C O

PEN

SPA

CE A

REA

S


H1 Consulting community groups on specific public spaces in the project corridor that could benefit from additional landscaping packages.

H2 Modifying the construction approach and program to retain more existing and/or mature trees.

H3 Providing significant landscaping, including over 4,000 new trees.

VEGE

TATI

ON


I1 Deliver additional car parking at key locations along the corridor, with the opportunity for an estimated 500 to 700 new car parks.

I2 Extending the off-road cycle path further to complete the ‘missing link’ for a continuous path from Caulfield to the EastLink trail.

I3 Improving connectivity with bus services through the location of drop-off and pick-up zones, proximity of bus stops to train stations and road connections.

I4 Appointing a dedicated customer experience manager to the project delivery team to minimise disruption for rail passengers during construction.

I5 Providing new cross-corridor connections for vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists.

I6 Building 12 kilometres of new shared pedestrian and bicycle paths.

TRAF

FIC

& T

RAN

SPO

RT

!!


!

!Next!steps!A!contract!will!be!awarded!for!delivery!of!the!project,!which!will!enable!any!changes!or!refinements!to!the!design,!including!any!specific!commitments!identified!through!the!consultation!process,!to!be!developed.!

Some!of!the!key!responses!to!community!feedback!identified!in!Figure!1,!such!as!the!voluntary!purchase!scheme!and!the!establishment!of!the!community!open!space!expert!panel,!have!already!been!delivered.!Other!key!activities!and!commitments!will!be!progressively!implemented!as!the!project!is!delivered,!including!those!that!require!further!consultation!with!community!and!stakeholder!groups.!

Construction!activities!are!expected!to!begin!towards!the!middle!of!2016.!Communication!with!community!members!including!residents,!traders!and!key!stakeholders!such!as!local!councils!will!continue!on!an!ongoing!basis!to!address!any!specific!individual!issues!or!concerns,!and!to!identify!opportunities!for!enhanced!project!outcomes!and!benefits.!

! !

Enhanced initiative in reference design

L1 Creating over 2,000 jobs during construction, with benefits for local businesses.

CON

STR

UCT

ION


J1 Offering a voluntary purchase scheme for owners of eligible residential properties along the rail corridor.

J2 Providing a trader support program to provide ongoing, sustainable support to local businesses during construction, including a ‘buy local’ program and independent mentoring and training services.

J3 Providing opportunities for local job creation and employment through formal training programs and incentives to employ local young people.

IND

IVID

UAL

PROP

ERTI

ES

& B

USI

NES

SES


K1 Ensuring barriers on the elevated rail structure will protect against derailment, to provide assurance on public safety.

K2 Providing station precinct lighting, CCTV and wayfinding to ensure public safety at stations and surrounding public spaces.

K3 Including Victoria Police in an expert panel to consider design elements and public safety.

SAFE

TY IS

SUES

PART A Engagement program and findings

!!


!

1 About!the!consultation!program!1.1 Approach!and!objectives!The!communications!and!consultation!program!for!the!Level!Crossing!Removal!Project:!Caulfield!to!Dandenong!supports!the!development!of!the!project!during!the!procurement!phase,!early!works!and!into!delivery.!This!program!aims!to!ensure!stakeholder!and!community!awareness!and!support!for!the!project,!facilitate!appropriate!opportunities!for!stakeholder!participation!in!the!procurement!process,!and!explain!the!design!process!and!temporary!construction!impacts.!

1.2 Our!previous!engagement!Consultation!activities!were!split!into!four!phases,!based!on!the!procurement!stages!for!the!project.!The!project!started!its!planning,!procurement!and!consultation!process!with!the!release!of!the!expression!of!interest!for!the!design!and!construction!of!the!project!in!June!2015.!At!this!stage,!all!possible!design!options!were!considered!for!the!removal!of!the!nine!level!crossings.!

Throughout!the!tender!phase,!the!project!team!ran!a!series!of!interrelated!events!to!allow!community!members!to!provide!feedback!on!their!local!level!crossing,!focussing!on!what!they!valued!in!their!local!area!and!what!could!be!improved.!These!events!included!pop!up!information!stands!and!interactive!community!feedback!sessions!as!well!as!an!interactive!online!feedback!tool,!Social!PinPoint.!The!feedback!that!was!received!was!provided!directly!to!bidders!as!they!began!the!development!of!designs.!!

The!project!also!established!a!Community!Tender!Advisory!Panel!(CTAP)!to!provide!a!local!perspective!during!the!design!development!process.!The!CTAP!comprised!of!representatives!from!local!businesses,!community!groups!and!residents!and!provided!feedback!on!aspects!of!the!tender!designs.!The!fundamental!purpose!of!the!CTAP!was!not!to!validate!or!endorse!the!final!design,!but!to!provide!feedback!that!would!be!considered!and!addressed!during!the!tender!process.!

A!series!of!community!events!followed!for!LXRA!to!communicate!what!had!been!heard,!how!the!feedback!was!being!used,!and!confirm!if!that!the!feedback!was!still!relevant.!The!outcomes!of!this!consultation!were!summarised!in!the!previous!consultation!report,!publicly!available!at!levelcrossings.vic.gov.au.!!

Figure*2:*2015*consultation*activities**

!

!!


!

2 Consultation!activities!This!report!focusses!on!consultation!phase!four!(November!2015!onwards),!which!involved!working!with!the!preferred!bidder!on!the!proposed!design.!The!formal!consultation!period!ran!from!8!February!until!18!March!2016.!The!consultation!objectives!for!this!phase!were:!

! To!allow!the!greatest!number!of!community!members!and!stakeholders!the!opportunity!to!understand!the!project!and!provide!feedback!on!the!Level!Crossing!Removal!Project:!Caulfield!to!Dandenong!by:!! Explaining!the!project!design!and!how!community!input!has!been!incorporated!to!date.!! Consulting!on!specific!design!elements.!! Explaining!the!impacts!expected!during!construction.!

! To!provide!inputs!into!the!process!for!seeking!planning!approval!for!the!project.!

The!interactive!component!of!this!consultation!phase!was!entitled!‘Your!Suburb,!Your!Say’!and!focussed!on!the!opportunities!created!by!the!elevated!rail!design!for!new!open!space,!local!area!connectivity!and!revitalisation!of!station!precincts.!

The!design!of!the!project!was!selected!on!the!basis!of!a!number!of!factors,!including!engineering!constraints,!environmental!benefits,!urban!design!outcomes!and!the!feedback!from!the!previous!community!sessions!on!what!was!important!to!people.!As!such,!this!consultation!was!not!for!people!to!‘vote’!on!the!design!solution,!or!select!a!design!solution,!but!for!LXRA!to!gather!feedback!and!understand!concerns!to!ensure!that!these!could!be!addressed!as!much!as!possible.!!

2.1 Formal!consultation!Formal!consultation!started!in!February!2016!on!the!proposed!design!and!elements,!including!the!open!space!opportunities.!This!extensive!consultation!program!included!the!activities!represented!in!Figure!3.!!

Information!gathered!through!this!consultation!program!is!being!used!to!refine!the!designs!and!develop!appropriate!response!to!key!themes,!issues!and!concerns!that!emerge!from!the!process.!!

Figure*3:*consultation*activities*since*February*2016*

!

!!


!

2.2 Key!activities!!

2.2.1 Community sessions LXRA!held!10!community!sessions!during!the!Your!Suburb,!Your!Say!consultation!program,!which!were!designed!to!encourage!people!to!provide!input!on!the!designs!as!well!as!community!open!space!opportunities.!The!events!also!provided!access!to!key!experts!in!noise,!construction,!trees!and!vegetation,!and!planning!to!answer!questions!about!the!project!and!its!proposed!design.!

People!were!encouraged!to!provide!a!written!submission!at!all!events!as!well!as!via!letterbox!drops,!online!and!at!static!displays.!!

The!sessions!attracted!2,207!participants!over!the!following!locations!and!dates.!

The!Your!Suburb,!Your!Say!consultation!sessions!were!advertised!through:!

! Letters!to!all!residents!adjacent!to!the!rail!corridor.!! More!than!300,000!newsletters!distributed!to!homes!and!businesses!along!the!corridor.!! Advertisements!in!local!newspapers,!including!the!Dandenong/Springvale!Dandenong!Leader;!

Waverley/Oakleigh!Monash!Leader;!Caulfield!Glen!Eira!Leader;!Cranbourne!Leader.!!! Translated!ads!in!the!top!six!language!publications,!including!An!Nahar!(Arabic);!Sing!Tao!–!Melbourne!edition!

(Chinese);!Ta!Nea!(Greek);!Il!Globo!(Italian);!Ti!Vi!Tuan!San!(Vietnamese);!Horizon!(Russian).!! Posters!at!train!stations!along!the!Cranbourne]Pakenham!line,!which!were!also!provided!to!local!traders.!! Footpath!signs!at!level!crossings!and!on!station!platforms!at!the!five!stations!being!rebuilt.!! Bookmarks!provided!at!pop]ups!at!train!stations,!on!shopping!strips!and!in!libraries.!! Static!displays!at!libraries,!council!information/community!centres!and!the!Noble!Park!Aquatic!Centre.!! Information!on!the!LXRA!website.!! Posts!on!LXRA’s!Facebook!page!and!Twitter.!! Information!on!council!websites.!! Letters!to!residents!along!the!corridor.!

2.2.2 Consulting with multicultural groups Advertisements!for!the!Your!Suburb,!Your!Say!community!sessions!were!translated!and!advertised!in!the!top!six!language!publications,!including!An!Nahar!(Arabic),!Sing!Tao!–!Melbourne!edition!(Chinese),!Ta!Nea!(Greek),!Il!Globo!(Italian),!Ti!Vi!Tuan!San!(Vietnamese)!and!Horizon!(Russian).!

LXRA!contacted!leaders!of!the!top!five!cultural!groups!in!the!project!area!and!provided!key!information!on!the!project,!including!translated!fact!sheets,!information!on!the!project!and!submission!process.!LXRA!also!provided!the!Ethnic!Communities!Council!of!Victoria!with!a!newsletter!article!to!encourage!groups!to!view!translated!materials,!speak!to!the!project!team!via!translators!and!to!provide!a!written!submission!on!the!project.!

2.2.3 Online engagement An!online!engagement!portal!at!your.levelcrossings.vic.gov.au!included!key!details!on!the!project,!before!and!after!images!on!each!level!crossing!removal!precinct!and!proposed!designs,!as!well!as!the!potential!community!open!spaces!for!community!input.!The!online!engagement!portal!included!videos!on!the!project!and!key!areas!of!interest!(for!example!noise,!design,!landscaping!and!construction),!communication!material!and!online!feedback!tools!including!submission!forms!and!‘design!your!community!space’!forms.!

2.2.4 Pop ups and information booths LXRA!hosted!pop]up!information!stands!along!the!project!corridor!throughout!the!duration!of!the!consultation!period.!Staff!were!available!at!train!stations!and!local!shopping!strips!near!the!level!crossing!removal!sites!with!information!on!the!project!and!to!gather!feedback!in!person!with!locals!and!commuters.!Between!February!and!March!2015,!LXRA!held!60!pop!ups!along!the!corridor!as!well!as!trader!drop]ins,!speaking!with!hundreds!of!people!at!each!session.!!

!!


!

2.2.5 Fixed displays Fixed!or!static!displays!were!in!place!from!17!February!until!18!March!at!the!Carnegie,!Clayton!Community!Centre!and!Dandenong!libraries;!and!the!Glen!Waverley!customer!service!centre!and!Noble!Park!aquatic!centre.!

2.2.6 Stakeholder briefings Throughout!the!consultation!period,!LXRA!held!briefings!with!key!stakeholders!to!discuss!the!proposed!design!and!offer!advice!on!how!to!provide!a!submission!on!the!project.!

LXRA!has!worked!with!the!City!of!Monash,!City!of!Glen!Eira,!City!of!Greater!Dandenong!and!City!of!Kingston!throughout!2015!and!into!2016.!All!councils!were!briefed!during!the!2016!formal!consultation!period.!

Briefings!were!offered!to!21!schools!and!12!sporting!clubs!within!the!project!corridor,!and!all!were!provided!with!written!submission!forms.!LXRA!met!with!the!following!groups!during!the!consultation!period.!!

Table*2:*Summary*of*stakeholder*briefings*

Group* Organisations*

Organisations! Detailed!briefings!included:!! Public!Transport!Users!Association,!9!February.!! Bicycle!Victoria,!10!February.!!! Real!Estate!Institute!of!Victoria,!11!February!–!follow]up!briefing!given!to!Valuers!Chapter!on!16!

February.!!! Noble!Park!Community!Action!Forum,!24!February.!! Planning!Institute!of!Australia!on!Thursday,!25!February.!! RACV,!8!March!2016.!Other!organisations!briefed!included:!! Engineers!Australia.!! VECCI.!! Urban!Development!Institute!of!Australia.!! Australian!Institute!of!Landscape!Architects.!

Schools! ! Sacred!Heart!Girls’!School,!10!March.!! Noble!Park!Primary,!11!March.!!

Councils! ! Combined!meeting!on!planning!controls!and!submissions!with!representatives!from!the!City!of!Monash,!Glen!Eira,!Greater!Dandenong!and!Kingston,!1!April.!

! City!of!Monash,!9!February.!!! City!of!Glen!Eira,!9!February.!!! City!of!Greater!Dandenong,!15!February.!! City!of!Kingston,!15!February.!

Agencies! ! Office!of!the!Victorian!Government!Architect,!15!February.!! Victoria!Police,!18!March.!

2.2.7 Individual meetings with residents Following!the!extensive!community!information!sessions!and!pop]up!events!throughout!the!second!half!of!2015,!LXRA!started!consulting!with!individual!residents!in!December!2015,!prior!to!release!of!the!proposed!designs!in!early!February!2016.!Over!1,400!residents!were!doorknocked!and!received!letters!during!this!time.!!

The!project!team!doorknocked!residents!immediately!adjacent!to!the!project!area!prior!to!and!in!the!days!following!the!announcement!on!the!preferred!design.!The!purpose!of!the!initial!contact!was!to!introduce!the!proposed!designs!and!offer!subsequent!one]on]one!meetings.!These!one]on]one!meetings!provided!residents!with!the!opportunity!to!view!a!3D!model!of!the!proposed!design!in!relation!to!their!property!and!to!ask!questions!about!the!design!and!construction.!Members!of!the!project!team!attended!170!separate!one]on]one!meetings!with!residents,!where!they!provided!technical!information!and!advice!on!how!to!provide!a!formal!feedback!submission!and!how!that!feedback!would!help!to!inform!decision!making!about!how!the!project!would!progress.!!

!!


!

Residents!were!offered!the!option!of!having!a!case!manager!assigned!to!them,!to!act!as!a!single!point!of!contact!for!residents!immediately!adjacent!to!the!project!area.!The!case!manager!role!will!be!maintained!through!the!life!of!the!project.!!

2.2.8 Trader engagement Four!workshops!were!held!with!traders!across!the!project!corridor!to!provide!information!about!the!project,!construction!time!frames!and!potential!impacts!to!local!businesses.!The!project!team!also!briefed!traders!operating!in!premises!immediately!abutting!the!rail!line,!as!well!as!local!trader!associations.!!

2.2.9 Wider community consultation LXRA!engaged!EY!Sweeney!to!undertake!broader!community!consultation!on!the!project!in!March!2016,!with!a!focus!on!three!groups!along!the!project!corridor:!

! Residents!in!their!homes,!surveyed!by!means!of!telephone!and!face!to!face!interviews.!! Train!users!at!ten!train!stations!on!the!line.!! Businesses!in!close!proximity!to!the!planned!removals.!!

The!aim!of!this!research!was!to!assess!community!priorities!and!sentiment!towards!the!proposed!project!that!will!result!in!the!removal!of!nine!level!crossings.!Respondents!to!the!survey!were!explicitly!asked!about!their!awareness!of!the!proposed!elevated!rail!solution!and!their!attitudes!towards!the!proposed!design,!as!well!as!the!option!and!priorities!for!the!use!of!the!new!community!space.!

2.2.10 Additional consultation activities Two!additional!sessions!were!held!at!the!Carnegie!and!Clayton!community!centres!in!response!to!requests!from!local!councils!and!were!designed!to!give!additional!opportunities!for!local!residents!to!provide!feedback!during!the!final!week!of!the!formal!consultation!process.!The!3D!model!was!available!on!a!large!TV!screen,!large!maps,!and!all!fact!sheets!were!available!along!with!submission!forms.!

!

! !

!!


!

3 Findings!and!feedback!3.1 Process!for!collating!feedback!The!following!process!was!used!to!gather!feedback!throughout!this!consultation!process.!

! Written!feedback!received!at!community!information!sessions.!! Community!space!feedback!forms,!where!people!could!select!preferences!for!use!of!the!new!community!space.!! Written!submissions.!!! Feedback!submitted!via!the!interactive!online!portal!!! Community!research!with!residents,!traders!and!train!passengers.!!

3.2 Summary!of!findings!Table*3:*Summary*of*all*feedback*received*

Activity* Statistics* Key*findings*

Wider!community!consultation!

2,200!telephone!interviews.!!440!face]to]face!interviews.!663!train!users!interviews.!144!business!interviews.!!

82!per!cent!in!favour!of!project!and!its!design.!

Key*benefits!!Reduction!in!road!congestion!and!improvements!in!road!user!and!pedestrian!safety.!!

Key*concerns!Note!that!the!majority!of!respondents!did!not!have!any!concerns,!but!the!two!mentioned!most!were!changes!to!environment!and!rail!noise.!

Land!use!preferences!under!the!elevated!rail!

N/A! Local*preferences*(online*and*information*sessions):!Green!parks!were!the!preference!in!all!locations!except!for!Ross!Reserve!where!a!BBQ!area!was!the!first!preference,!followed!by!green!parks.!!

Wider*community*views*(community*consultation):!Top!three!responses!were!community!parking!(37%),!green!parks!(34%)!and!community!gardens!(31%)!

Written!submissions! 1,573!written!submissions.! Elevated!rail!! 67%!of!submissions!Visual!impact!! 43%!of!submissions!Train!noise!! 38%!of!submissions!Consultation!on!design!options!!(506!submissions)!

32%!of!submissions!Graffiti,!vandalism!and!waste!!(479!submissions)!

31%!of!submissions!

3.3 Wider!community!views!LXRA!engaged!EY!Sweeney!to!undertake!broader!community!consultation!on!the!project!between!1!March!and!15!March!2016,!with!a!focus!on!three!groups!along!the!project!corridor:!

! Residents!in!their!homes,!with!2,200!telephone!interviews!and!440!face]to]face!interviews.!! 663!interviews!with!train!users!at!ten!train!stations!on!the!line.!! 144!interviews!with!businesses!in!relatively!close!proximity!to!the!planned!removals.!!

!

! *

!!


!

Figure*4:*Description*for*wider*consultation*(Grange*Road*to*Poath*Road)*

I!am!going!to!read!out!some!information!about!the!planned!removal!of!the!level!crossings!and!then!ask!you!some!questions.!The!nine!level!crossings!to!be!removed!on!the!Cranbourne/Pakenham!rail!line!are!located!from!Caulfield!to!Dandenong!and!include:!! Grange!Rd!and!Koornang!Road!! Murrumbeena!Road!! Poath!Road!! Two!in!Clayton!! Three!in!Noble!Park!To!enable!the!removal!of!these!level!crossings,!the!proposal!involves!the!construction!of!an!elevated!train!line!along!the!course!of!the!existing!train!line,!with!the!area!underneath!the!elevated!train!line!made!available!for!other!uses!such!as!parks,!gardens,!running!tracks!and!other!community!facilities.!As!part!of!the!works,!the!train!stations!at!Carnegie,!Murrumbeena,!Noble!Park,!Clayton!and!Hughesdale!will!be!rebuilt.!

!The!consultation!found!82!per!cent!of!residents!were!in!favour!of!the!project!and!its!design,!with!reduction!of!road!congestion!and!the!improvements!in!road!user!and!pedestrian!safety!identified!the!two!greatest!benefits.!!

Respondents!were!asked!their!opinion!on!the!impact!of!the!level!crossing!removals!on!a!series!of!aspects.!!

The!two!aspects!where!the!greatest!proportion!of!people!believed!there!would!be!a!positive!impact!were!in!the!reduction!of!road!congestion!and!the!improvements!in!road!user!and!pedestrian!safety.!!

The!two!key!areas!of!concern!raised!from!survey!participants!were!disruption!during!construction!and!the!visual!impacts!of!the!elevated!rail!line.!

Figure*5:*Wider*community*views*

!Note:&figures&represented&are&subject&to&percentage&rounding.&

! !

!!


!

3.4 Feedback!on!community!spaces!

3.4.1 Feedback on open spaces from the wider community As!part!of!the!wider!community!consultation!in!March!2016,!community!members!were!asked!to!nominate!their!top!three!responses!from!a!list!of!potential!uses!for!the!land!under!the!proposed!elevated!train!line.!The!most!popular!responses!for!the!local!residents!(not!directly!abutting!the!corridor)!were:!

! Commuter!parking!(37!per!cent).!! Green!parks!(34!per!cent).!! Community!garden!and!a!playground!(31!per!cent).!

3.4.2 Local area feedback At!the!community!sessions,!people!were!shown!the!seven!community!spaces!available!for!facilities!as!part!of!the!project,!and!shown!a!3D!model!of!where!these!could!be!provided.!Participants!could!then!select!their!top!three!responses!for!a!community!space.!

On!the!website,!people!were!also!able!to!select!their!preferred!community!space!facilities!for!their!areas.!In!addition,!people!also!provided!comments!in!their!formal!submissions!on!the!use!of!the!community!spaces.!!

The!information!in!Table!4!includes!the!quantitative!feedback,!as!well!as!the!feedback!received!through!the!Your!Suburb,!Your!Say!information!sessions!and!online!consultation.!!

! *

!!


!

Table*4:*Summary*of*responses*for*the*seven*community*spaces*

Community*space* Responses*and*feedback*

Koornang*Road*community*space*

Top!three!responses! Green!park!(16.2%).! Community!garden!(9.9%).!! Dog!park!(8.1%).!

Key!feedback!received! ! Positive!response!to!creating!green!spaces!in!Carnegie,!with!suggestions!included!a!nature!park!and!recreation!activities.!!

! Comments!were!made!on!improving!accessibility!and!proximity!to!local!shops!and!cafes,!as!well!as!encouraging!food!trucks!in!the!park.!

! Dog!owners!suggested!more!dog!parks!in!the!area.!

Riley*Reserve*community*space*

Top!three!responses! Green!park!(18.2%).! Playground!(10.8%).! Dog!park!(10.4%).!

Key!feedback!received! ! More!green!space!for!the!area!was!requested,!including!planting!and!maintaining!current!neighbourhood!characteristics.!

! Suggestions!included!an!area!dedicated!to!the!local!Boyd!Family!who!made!a!significant!contribution!to!local!art!and!culture.!

! Playgrounds,!BBQ!areas!and!off]lease!dog!areas!were!also!requested.!

Clayton*Road*community*space*

Top!three!responses! Green!park!(13.8%).! Commuter!parking!(11%).! Exercise!area!(10%).!

Key!feedback!received! ! Green!space!was!requested!for!families!with!activities!for!kids!and!places!for!parents!to!relax.!!

! Other!suggestions!included!incorporating!a!farmers!market!into!a!green!park,!and!active!spaces!for!teenagers.!!

! Additional!parking!was!a!popular!feedback!response,!for!retailers!and!commuters.!

CarnishWHaughton*Road*community*space*

Top!three!responses! Green!park!(18.9%).! Playground!(13.5%).! BBQ!area!(13.5%).!

Key!feedback!received! ! Parks!were!requested!with!playground!facilities!for!children.!!! Family!friendly!areas!for!younger!children!were!also!requested.!

Ross*Reserve*community*space*

Top!three!responses! BBQ!area!(17.1%).! Green!park!(14.3%).! Equal:!sports!court!and!bicycle!hub!(8.6%)!

Key!feedback!received! ! Comments!were!made!on!the!need!for!more!parkland!with!places!to!relax.!!! Positive!comments!were!received!on!a!new!skate!park!and!aquatic!centre!in!the!area.!! Table!tennis!facilities!were!requested!as!the!sports!court.!

Heatherton*Road*community*space*

Top!three!responses! Green!park!(17%).!! Community!garden!(11.7%).! Equal:!dog!park!and!BBQ!area!(9.6%).!

Key!feedback!received! ! Requests!were!made!for!green!space!in!the!area,!with!bench!seats!suggested!in!shaded!areas!with!mature!canopy!trees.!!

! Suggestions!included!a!running!track!or!facilities,!or!a!double!level!gallery!and!art!studio!space!under!the!tracks!to!be!used!by!Noble!Park!community!artists.!!

! Requests!were!made!for!restaurants!and!the!ability!to!host!food!trucks!in!the!open!space.!

Chandler*Road*community*space*

Top!three!responses! Green!park!(20.8%).! Playground!(14.6%).!! BBQ!area!(12.5%).!

Key!feedback!received! ! Positive!feedback!was!raised!about!revitalising!the!area!that!is!not!currently!well!used.!! Suggestions!included!seating!and!planting!for!more!visual!interest.!

!!


!

3.5 Feedback!from!local!areas!The!nine!level!crossing!removals!and!five!new!stations!are!split!into!three!distinct!geographical!areas.!The!findings!are!grouped!into!the!following!areas:!

! 1A:!Carnegie!(Grange!Road!and!Koornang!Road).!! 1B:!Murrumbeena!and!Hughesdale!(Murrumbeena!Road!and!Poath!Road).!! 2:!Clayton!(Centre!Road!and!Clayton!Road).!!! 3:!Noble!Park!(Corrigan!Road,!Heatherton!Road!and!Chandler!Road,!Noble!Park.!

Figure*6:*Map*of*key*areas*

!

!!


!

3.5.1 Overall feedback Information!provided!here!summarises!the!key!responses!and!feedback!received!through!the!Your!Suburb,!Your!Say!consultation!program.!!

Comments!that!related!to!individual!properties!have!not!been!publicised!to!manage!privacy!considerations!for!individual!property!owners.!The!case!managers!appointed!for!the!project!will!discuss!these!issues!directly!with!individual!property!owners.!

Figure*7:*Key*themes*and*areas*of*interest*from*the*Your*Suburb,*Your*Say*consultation*

!! *

!!


!

Top*five*themes*and*areas*of*interest*for*the*whole*project*area*

Design*–*elevated*rail*and*station*design*(40%)*

Design!was!the!issue!most!frequently!raised!during!the!consultation,!particularly!about!the!elevated!rail!design!and!the!station!designs.!Some!people!expressed!an!understanding!that!this!was!the!most!efficient!option!for!quickly!addressing!the!level!crossings,!while!many!respondents!immediately!adjacent!to!the!rail!line!were!concerned!about!the!design.!Many!individual!property!owners!requested!compensation!or!purchase!of!their!properties.!Feedback!on!the!station!designs!mainly!related!to!opportunities!to!improve!accessibility!to!stations!through!escalators.!

Traffic*and*transport*(28%)*

Traffic!and!transport!was!often!raised,!particularly!regarding!cycling!and!pedestrians,!parking!and!road!layout.!Many!people!provided!positive!feedback!on!the!opportunity!for!the!cycling!and!pedestrian!paths,!with!suggestions!to!separate!cyclists!and!pedestrians,!providing!a!safe!and!continuous!path!for!them.!There!were!mixed!responses!in!terms!of!how!many!car!parks!should!be!provided,!with!Clayton!requesting!more!parking!and!Murrumbeena!and!Hughesdale!providing!mixed!responses!on!the!need!for!parking.!!

Community*consultation*(11.6%)*

The!community!consultation!process!was!a!key!issue!for!some!respondents,!who!suggested!that!they!would!have!liked!to!see!design!options!prior!to!this!phase!of!the!project.!

New*public*open*space*areas*(10.7%)*

Respondents!provided!positive!feedback!around!the!new!public!open!space!areas,!providing!feedback!on!the!best!way!to!use!these!spaces!to!fit!in!with!their!neighbourhoods.!There!was!significant!interest!in!the!maintenance!plans!for!these!spaces,!with!requests!for!more!information!on!how!this!will!be!managed!and!funded.!Noble!Park!respondents!had!particular!feedback!on!the!potential!for!crime!in!the!public!open!space!areas,!while!other!areas!spoke!more!about!managing!graffiti.!

Local*amenity*(9.7%)*

Local!amenity!was!another!key!theme!across!all!areas!of!the!project,!with!comments!on!the!structure,!its!design!and!its!relationship!to!the!current!look!and!feel!of!the!neighbourhood.!There!were!suggestions!from!communities!to!beautify!the!project!through!planting!as!well!as!community!art!projects.!

!

!

!!


!

3.5.2 Carnegie feedback (Area 1A) Area!1A!is!made!up!of!Grange!Road!and!Koornang!Road!level!crossings!as!well!as!Carnegie!Station.!This!area!attracted!993!pieces!of!feedback!on!the!proposed!design,!with!the!most!comments!relating!to!the!following!three!areas.!

Other*design*issues*(15.9*per*cent)*

This!covered!suggestions!to!improve!the!elevated!rail!design,!general!comments!about!the!design,!reducing!the!visual!impacts!of!the!substation,!as!well!as!catering!for!future!growth!(the!third!and!fourth!tracks).!

Cycling*and*pedestrians*(13.9*per*cent)*

Positive!comments!were!received!on!the!new!facilities,!particularly!the!connection!with!Caulfield!Monash!University!Campus.!Other!specific!comments!related!to!path!design,!including!some!suggestions!about!separating!cycling!and!pedestrians.!

Trees*and*vegetation*(12.8*per*cent)*

Feedback!was!received!on!the!proposed!new!plantings,!including!the!importance!of!planting!mature!trees!and!protecting!important!mature!vegetation!like!the!River!Red!Gums!and!mature!vegetation!in!areas!like!Lorne!Street.!!

Figure*8:*The*top*five*themes*and*areas*of*interest*in*Carnegie**

!!

!!


!

3.5.3 Murrumbeena and Hughesdale feedback (Area 1B) Area!1B!is!made!up!of!Murrumbeena!Road!and!Poath!Road!level!crossings!as!well!as!Murrumbeena!Station!and!Hughesdale!Station.!This!area!attracted!2,470!pieces!of!feedback!on!the!proposed!design,!with!the!most!comments!relating!to!the!following!three!areas.!

The!two!areas!are!summarised!separately!below.!

3.5.3.1 Murrumbeena Murrumbeena!itself!attracted!1,001!pieces!of!feedback!on!the!proposed!design,!with!the!most!comments!relating!to!the!following!three!areas.!

Elevated*rail*(22.1*per*cent)*

Comments!were!made!on!the!elevated!rail!solution,!particularly!the!perceived!visual!and!noise!impacts!for!adjoining!residents.!Suggestions!were!received!on!the!potential!to!use!vegetation!to!screen!the!elevated!structure,!as!well!as!requests!for!privacy!screening!and!noise!walls.!

Other*design*issues*(19.1*per*cent)*

Feedback!was!received!that!the!State!should!begin!planning!for!and/or!building!the!third!and!fourth!tracks!as!part!of!the!level!crossing!removal!project.!

Trees*and*vegetation*(13.7*per*cent)*

Comments!were!received!about!the!need!to!maintain!gardens,!parks!and!vegetation!throughout!construction,!with!specific!comments!about!vegetation!in!Murrumbeena!Road,!Railway!Parade,!Boyd!Park!and!Riley!Reserve.!!

Figure*9:*Top*five*themes*and*areas*of*interest*for*Murrumbeena**

!

!!


!

3.5.3.2 Hughesdale This!area!attracted!1,469!pieces!of!feedback!on!the!proposed!design,!with!the!most!comments!relating!to!the!following!three!areas.!

Parking*(15*per*cent)*

There!were!some!suggestions!for!more!parking!to!assist!with!future!growth!(25.8!per!cent!of!respondents),!while!others!said!they!would!like!less!(19.2!per!cent).!Feedback!was!received!on!the!need!to!retain!parking!in!retail!areas.!


Comments!were!made!about!the!proposed!design,!with!more!information!requested!about!measures!to!manage!the!potential!visual!and!noise!impacts!from!the!design.!Assurance!was!sought!that!the!new!open!spaces!would!be!well!maintained!and!public!safety!would!be!protected.!

Cycling*and*pedestrians*(13.5*per*cent)*

A!number!of!suggestions!were!made!for!additional!cycling!and!pedestrian!connections,!particularly!around!Boyd!Park!and!the!stations.!Comments!were!also!made!about!the!proposed!path!design,!with!some!suggestions!to!separate!cyclists!and!pedestrians.!

Figure*10:*Top*five*themes*and*areas*of*interest*for*Hughesdale**

!!

!!


!

3.5.4 Clayton feedback (Area 2) Area!2!is!made!up!of!Clayton!Road!and!Centre!Road!level!crossings,!as!well!as!Clayton!Station.!This!area!attracted!281!pieces!of!feedback!on!the!proposed!design,!with!the!most!comments!relating!to!the!following!three!areas.!


Feedback!was!received!about!the!potential!changes!for!properties!near!the!corridor,!with!requests!for!more!information!on!how!noise!would!be!managed,!particularly!to!residential!properties!near!the!rail!line.!Requests!were!received!for!more!information!on!the!visual!aspects!of!noise!and!privacy!screens.!Assurance!was!sought!that!the!new!open!spaces!would!be!well!maintained!and!public!safety!would!be!protected.!

Parking*(18.3*per*cent)*

Positive!feedback!was!received!on!the!additional!car!parking!opportunities!presented!by!the!elevated!rail!design,!with!specific!comments!about!additional!parking!on!Clayton!Road.!Additional!accessible!parking!and!bike!parking!was!requested.!

Station*designs*(9.1*per*cent)*

Positive!feedback!was!raised!on!the!design!being!an!improvement!on!the!current!station.!In!contrast,!other!comments!were!made!that!the!design!of!the!elevated!station!could!be!improved,!particularly!to!avoid!overshadowing.!Requests!were!made!for!facilities!for!wheelchair!users,!including!an!alternative!options!if!the!lift!breaks!down.!

Figure*11:*Top*five*themes*and*areas*of*interest*for*Clayton**

!

!!


!

3.5.5 Noble Park feedback (Area 3) Area!3!is!made!up!of!Corrigan!Road,!Heatherton!Road!and!Chandler!Road!level!crossings,!as!well!as!Noble!Park!Station.!This!area!attracted!290!pieces!of!feedback!on!the!proposed!design,!with!the!most!comments!relating!to!the!following!three!areas.!


Positive!feedback!was!generally!received!on!the!structure’s!appearance,!although!other!comments!suggested!it!could!be!streamlined!to!improve!its!visual!appearance.!More!information!was!requested!on!treatments!to!reduce!noise!for!people!living!in!the!area.!Assurance!was!sought!that!there!is!a!plan!and!budget!to!effectively!maintain!the!community!spaces!near!the!elevated!rail!structure.!

Station*designs*(15.4*per*cent)*

Positive!feedback!was!received!on!the!proposed!appearance!of!the!new!station,!with!comments!saying!it!will!improve!Noble!Park.!Requests!were!made!for!lifts!and!escalators!to!the!stations!(as!well!as!stairs).!Positive!feedback!was!received!on!the!proposed!connections!to!the!taxi!rank!and!bus!stops.!

Road*layout*(15.4*per*cent)*

Suggestions!were!received!to!improve!road!layouts,!with!a!number!of!specific!comments!about!Heatherton!Road,!Douglas!Street!and!Mons!Parade.!

Figure*12:*Top*five*themes*and*areas*of*interest*for*Noble*Park**

!! !

PART B Submissions and detailed responses

!!


!

4 About!the!written!submissions!process!The!Level!Crossing!Removal!Authority!(LXRA)!sought!written!submissions!on!the!proposed!designs!for!the!Level!Crossing!Removal!Project:!Caulfield!to!Dandenong!during!the!formal!consultation!period,!which!was!conducted!from!8!February!until!18!March!2016.!!

The!objectives!of!the!formal!written!submission!process!were:!

! To!allow!any!person!to!make!a!written!submission!to!LXRA!on!the!proposed!designs!for!the!Level!Crossing!Removal!Project:!Caulfield!to!Dandenong.!!

! To!formally!seek!the!views!of!potentially!affected!land!owners!and!occupiers,!key!stakeholders!and!the!wider!community!on!the!proposed!designs!to!inform!further!design!development.!

! To!provide!formal!inputs!into!the!process!for!seeking!planning!approval!for!the!project.!

4.1 Submissions!process!!In!the!period!following!the!announcement!of!the!proposed!design,!the!community!and!stakeholders!have!been!encouraged!to!make!written!submissions!regarding!their!views!on!the!Level!Crossing!Removal!Project:!Caulfield!to!Dandenong.!Methods!for!making!submissions!were:!

! Submission!forms!completed!at!public!information!sessions!and!other!events.!!! Submissions!posted!or!hand]delivered!to!the!LXRA.!! Online!submission!form!on!the!LXRA!website.!! Email!to!the!LXRA!requesting!to!be!considered!as!a!written!submission.!

In!total!1,573!written!submissions!were!received!from!a!variety!of!sources!including!residents,!owners,!businesses,!community!and!interest!groups!and!councils.!A!number!of!peak!bodies!including!the!RACV,!Public!Transport!Users!Association,!Bicycle!Network!Victoria,!Royal!Botanic!Gardens!Victoria!and!Planning!Institute!Australia!provided!written!submissions!that!were!supportive!of!the!project!and!the!proposed!elevated!rail!design.!

4.2 Categorising!issues!Most!submissions!raised!more!than!one!issue.!To!capture!and!respond!fully!to!each,!topics!were!divided!into!the!following!broad!themes:!!

! Community!consultation.!! Elevated!design.!! Impact!on!community!facilities.!! Operational!noise.!! Amenity!impacts.!! Neighbourhood!character.!! New!public!open!space!areas.!! Vegetation.!! Traffic!and!transport.!! Property!values.!! Legal!process.!! Safety!issues.!! Construction!impacts.!! Three!or!four!tracking.!

The!themes!were!further!categorised!into!more!specific!issues.!!

! !

!!


!

4.3 Summary!of!submissions!The!following!table!outlines!the!number!of!times!an!issue!was!raised!in!a!written!submission!received!on!the!project.!!

Table*5:*Summary*of*submissions*received*

Area*of*submission* Percentage*of*total*submissions*

Elevated!rail! 67%!

Visual!impact!of!elevated!structure! 43%!

Train!noise! 38%!

Consultation!activities!for!the!design! 32%!

Graffiti,!vandalism!and!waste! 31%!

Security!in!new!public!spaces! 28%!

Compensation,!property!values!and!voluntary!purchase! 27%!

Urban!design!and!neighbourhood!character! 23%!

Cost!of!design! 20%!

Consultation!material! 19%!

Maintenance!of!open!space!areas! 19%!

Design!of!new!open!space!areas! 19%!

Future!capacity! 18%!

Overshadowing! 17%!

Overlooking/privacy! 14%!

Station!design! 13%!

Impact!on!traffic! 12%!

Parking! 11%!

Disruption!during!the!construction!phase! 9%!

Impact!on!vegetation! 8%!

Impact!on!bicycle!or!pedestrian!paths! 7%!

Derailment! 7%!

Heritage!values! 6%!

Other!health!and!safety!impacts! 5%!

Vibration! 5%!

Light!spill! 4%!

Other!design!issues! 4%!

Other!open!space!issues! 4%!

Operation!of!public!transport!after!construction! 4%!

Impact!on!community!facilities! 3%!

Environmental!assessment! 2%!

Station!noise! 2%!

Project!approvals! 1%!

4.4 Responses!The!key!responses!to!themes!raised!in!written!submissions!and!throughout!the!consultation!process!are!described!in!each!subsequent!section.!In!addition!to!these!specific!responses,!the!LXRA!will!continue!to!work!closely!with!the!community!and!stakeholders!to!address!any!other!issues,!themes,!opportunities!and!concerns!that!arise!during!the!construction!process.!

!!


!

5 Community!consultation!5.1 Previous!consultation!on!design!Feedback!was!received!on!the!consultation!process!that!took!place!throughout!2015!and!the!design!options!that!were!presented!during!that!process.!

Summary*of*submissions*received*

Theme* Percentage*of*total*submissions*

Consultation!activities!for!the!design! 32%!

5.2 Consultation!material!Submissions!received!on!this!issue!related!to!the!design!options!development!and!selection!process,!financial!analysis!and!business!cases,!and!specialist!technical!studies!such!as!noise!impact!assessments.!!



Consultation!material! 19%!

5.3 How!we!are!responding!to!feedback!on!community!consultation!

!!!

!!


!

6 Design!6.1 Elevated!rail!!Submissions!were!received!that!presented!both!positive!and!negative!feedback!on!the!proposed!elevated!rail!design.!Submissions!that!expressed!support!for!the!elevated!rail!design!focussed!on!the!contemporary!nature!of!the!design!and!the!opportunities!it!presents!for!increased!local!area!connectivity!and!revitalisation!around!the!new!stations!and!new!public!open!spaces.!

Submissions!containing!negative!feedback!on!the!elevated!design!generally!focussed!on!the!visual!appearance!of!the!structure!and!contended!that!a!‘trenched!or!rail!under’!design!should!have!been!selected.!!



Elevated!rail! 67%!

6.2 Cost!of!design!!Submissions!discussed!the!cost!comparison!between!design!options.!These!submissions!included!recommendations!to!select!the!‘trenched!or!rail!under’!option,!and!if!it!was!more!expensive,!to!stage!the!crossing!removals!over!a!longer!period!or!reduce!the!number!of!level!crossings!being!removed.!



Cost!of!design! 20%!

6.3 Station!design!A!number!of!submissions!expressed!views!on!the!station!designs!presented!during!the!community!consultation.!There!was!feedback!that!the!designs!were!too!contemporary!or!contrasted!too!greatly!with!the!local!setting.!Other!feedback!included!praise!for!the!architectural!concepts.!



Station!design! 13%!

6.4 Other!design!issues!Submissions!included!a!range!of!other!miscellaneous!suggestions!and!comment!about!the!designs.!Topics!ranged!from!the!suitability!of!the!viaducts!for!freight!to!the!potential!for!attaching!solar!panels!to!the!viaducts!and!stations.!



Other!design!issues! 4%!

! !

!!


!

6.5 How!we!are!responding!to!feedback!on!elevated!rail!

!

TABLE 2: How we are responding to community feedback


B1 Minimising the bulk of the elevated structure and its potential impact on visual amenity and overshadowing where possible.

B2 Installing escalators at Carnegie, Murrumbeena and Hughesdale stations, in addition to those already provided for at Clayton and Noble Park stations.

B3 Providing uninterrupted power supply for lifts at train stations to ensure the safety of passengers.

B4 Delivering extra enhancements at Oakleigh, Huntingdale, Yarraman and Sandown stations to improve the customer experience.

B5 Committing to a new station at Noble Park.

DES

IGN


A1 Creating stakeholder liaison groups for all three areas to provide input on key local issues throughout delivery of the project.

A2 Implementing dedicated liaison programs with non-English speaking communities to facilitate greater opportunities for engagement, employment and skills development.

A3 Getting community input into specific aspects of the community spaces, such as naming of structures and newly-created parkland.

A4 Making technical information more accessible by providing detailed reports on the options assessment and design benefits.

A5 Continuing engagement during design development on key local community features like landscaping and privacy screens.

COM

MU

NIT

Y C

ON

SULT

ATIO

N

!!


!

7 Community!facilities!7.1 Impact!on!community!facilities!Submitters!raised!questions!around!construction!impacts!on!a!range!of!local!community!facilities,!including!parks!and!open!spaces,!community!buildings,!and!specific!facilities!such!as!nearby!schools!and!hospitals.!There!were!specific!comments!about!the!impacts!on,!and!opportunities!for!the!Clayton!Avenue!of!Honour.!



Impact!on!community!facilities! 3%!

7.2 How!we!are!responding!to!feedback!on!community!facilities!

!




COM

MU

NIT

Y F

ACIL

ITIE

S




NOI

SE &

VIB

RATI

ON




AMEN

ITY

IMPA

CTS




NEI

GHBO

URH

OOD

CH

ARAC

TER

!!


!

8 Noise!and!vibration!8.1 Train!noise!!A!common!issue!raised!in!submissions!was!the!potential!for!operational!noise!impacts!from!trains!to!be!increased!by!the!elevation!of!the!proposed!structures.!!



Train!noise! 38%!

8.2 Vibration!!This!issue!relates!to!operational!ground!borne!noise!and!vibration!and!concerns!that!these!might!cause!amenity!impacts!or!property!damage.!It!was!most!raised!by!those!properties!closest!to!the!rail!line!but!was!rarely!raised!as!a!separate!issue!from!operational!noise.!



Vibration! 5%!

8.3 Station!noise!!Submissions!raised!the!potential!for!additional!noise!resulting!from!stations,!for!example!from!the!use!of!public!address!(PA)!systems.!!



Station!noise! 2%!

8.4 How!we!are!responding!to!feedback!on!noise!and!vibration!

!

!!


!

9 Amenity!impacts!9.1 Visual!impact!of!elevated!structure!Submissions!made!comments!about!the!visual!design!of!the!elevated!rail!line!and!changes!for!the!visual!outlook!from!nearby!properties!and!public!open!space.!The!majority!of!submissions!on!this!issue!were!received!from!the!area!between!Grange!Road,!Carnegie!and!Poath!Road,!Hughesdale.!



Visual!impact!of!elevated!structures! 43%!

9.2 Overshadowing!Feedback!was!received!on!the!potential!for!overshadowing!from!the!viaducts!on!nearby!residents!and!on!vegetation!along!the!corridor.!!



Overshadowing! 17%!

9.3 Light!spill!Submissions!commented!on!illumination!and!glare!from!a!variety!of!light!sources!created!by!the!project.!!

Lighting!in!the!new!public!open!spaces!and!protection!of!public!safety!is!considered!in!Section!11.!!



Light!spill! 4%!

9.4 Overlooking!and!privacy!!Comments!were!made!that!passengers!on!elevated!trains!or!users!of!new!public!spaces!within!the!linear!park!would!be!able!to!see!into!houses!and!gardens!along!the!line.!



Overlooking/privacy! 14%!

!

! !

!!


!

9.5 How!we!are!responding!to!feedback!on!amenity!

!!




COM

MU

NIT

Y F

ACIL

ITIE

S




NOI

SE &

VIB

RATI

ON




AMEN

ITY

IMPA

CTS




NEI

GHBO

URH

OOD

CH

ARAC

TER

!!


!

10 Neighbourhood!character!10.1 Urban!design!and!neighbourhood!character!Feedback!was!received!that!the!design!of!the!viaducts!and!stations!need!to!be!in!keeping!with!the!character!of!the!suburban!neighbourhoods!along!the!Caulfield!to!Dandenong!corridor.!Comments!were!received!relating!to!the!visual!and!aesthetic!aspects!of!the!proposed!station!designs.!These!comments!also!relate!to!statements!made!on!station!design!(Section!6),!visual!impact!(Section!9)!and!heritage!(Section!10).!



Urban!design!and!neighbourhood!character! 23%!

10.2 Heritage!values!Submissions!discussed!the!need!to!protect!heritage!items!in!the!local!area.!While!some!submissions!provided!specific!comments!on!the!listing!and!value!of!heritage!places!(particularly!Murrumbeena,!Carnegie!and!Clayton!stations),!most!discussed!their!value!as!local!landmarks!and!their!contribution!to!the!historic!character!of!their!respective!neighbourhoods.!



Heritage!values! 6%!

10.3 How!we!are!responding!to!feedback!on!neighbourhood!character!

!!




COM

MU

NIT

Y F

ACIL

ITIE

S




NOI

SE &

VIB

RATI

ON




AMEN

ITY

IMPA

CTS




NEI

GHBO

URH

OOD

CH

ARAC

TER

!!


!

11 New!public!open!space!areas!11.1 Design!of!new!open!space!areas!Submissions!on!this!issue!contained!comments!and!suggestions!for!uses!of!the!linear!park!created!within!the!Caulfield!to!Dandenong!corridor.!More!information!on!this!is!provided!in!Section!3.4.!



Design!of!new!open!spaces! 19%!

11.2 Development!and!maintenance!of!open!space!areas!Submitters!were!interested!in!the!long]term!maintenance!of!the!new!public!open!spaces,!and!confirmation!of!funding!for!the!development!and!maintenance!of!the!linear!park.!



Development!and!maintenance!of!open!space!areas! 19%!

11.3 Security!!Submissions!on!this!issue!discussed!the!need!for!security!of!travellers!accessing!or!using!the!stations,!and!initiatives!to!ensure!the!new!public!spaces!would!be!active!spaces!with!surveillance!and!security.!!



Security!in!public!open!spaces! 31%!

11.4 Graffiti,!vandalism!and!waste!!Many!submissions!commented!on!the!need!to!ensure!that!areas!beneath!the!viaducts!would!not!be!subject!to!vandalism,!graffiti!and!littering.!!



Graffiti,!vandalism!and!waste! 31%!

11.5 Other!open!space!issues!A!small!number!of!submissions!raised!other!general!issues!relating!to!open!space.!!



Other!open!space!issues! 4%!

! !

!!


!

11.6 How!we!are!responding!to!feedback!on!public!open!space!

!!









NEW

PU

BLI

C O

PEN

SPA

CE A

REA

S





VEGE

TATI

ON








TRAF

FIC

& T

RAN

SPO

RT

!!


!

12 Vegetation!12.1 Impact!on!vegetation!!Many!submitters!wanted!more!information!on!the!potential!impacts!on!vegetation!and!wildlife,!especially!mature!trees!within!or!adjacent!to!the!project!corridor.!Specific!comments!were!made!about!the!possible!impact!on!river!red!gums!at!various!locations!along!the!corridor!and!their!contribution!to!the!aesthetic!character!of!the!area.!!

!



Impact!on!vegetation! 8%!

12.2 How!we!are!responding!to!feedback!on!vegetation!

!!



G2 Committing to a $15 million funding program for maintenance of the public open spaces.


G4 Looking at, and consulting the surrounding community on, optimised lighting on shared- user paths.




G8 Providing station precinct lighting, CCTV and wayfinding to ensure public safety at stations and surrounding public spaces.

NEW

PU

BLI

C O

PEN

SPA

CE A

REA

S





VEGE

TATI

ON


I1 Investigating additional car parking at key locations along the corridor, with the opportunity for an estimated 500 to 700 new car parks.






TRAF

FIC

& T

RAN

SPO

RT

!!


!

13 Traffic!and!transport!13.1 Impact!on!traffic!!Support!was!received!for!the!primary!purpose!of!the!project!to!reduce!congestion!and!improve!traffic!conditions.!!

Submissions!received!on!this!issue!raised!many!detailed!observations!and!concerns!about!changes!to!local!traffic!conditions!that!may!result!from!the!project.!These!included!changes!in!flows!due!new!road!links!across!the!corridor,!access!to!main!roads!from!local!roads,!road!noise!and!pedestrian!safety.!!



Impact!on!traffic! 12%!

13.2 Operation!of!public!transport!after!construction!!Most!submissions!discussing!train!operation!on!the!new!line!were!in!support!of!the!project.!Although!a!small!number!of!submitters!made!comments!about!the!nature!of!future!rail!services,!the!majority!of!comments!on!public!transport!related!to!bus!services.!

Many!comments!were!received!on!the!broader!program!of!works!to!improve!frequency!of!services!on!the!Cranbourne]Pakenham!rail!line,!known!as!the!Cranbourne]Pakenham!line!upgrade!project.!!



Operation!of!public!transport!after!construction! 4%!

13.3 Impact!on!bicycle!or!pedestrian!paths!!Many!submissions!supported!the!introduction!of!a!shared!user!path.!Specific!comments!were!made!about!the!continuity!of!the!path!at!both!ends!of!the!corridor!and!through!the!stations.!!



Impact!on!bicycle!or!pedestrian!paths! 7%!

! !

!!


!

13.4 Parking!A!large!number!of!submissions!discussed!local!parking!arrangements,!with!comments!covering!a!wide!range!of!issues!including:!!

! Parking!provision!at!the!new!stations,!with!some!recommending!it!be!increased!and!others!stating!that!local!public!space!provision!should!be!given!priority.!!

! Requests!that!proposed!new!parking!take!into!account!local!pedestrian!access!and!vehicle!movements.!! Suggestions!for!removal!of!on]street!parking!on!particular!routes!to!reduce!current!congestion!problems.!



Parking! 11%!

13.5 How!we!are!responding!to!feedback!on!traffic!and!transport!

!!









NEW

PU

BLI

C O

PEN

SPA

CE A

REA

S





VEGE

TATI

ON








TRAF

FIC

& T

RAN

SPO

RT

!!


!

14 Property!and!business!14.1 Compensation,!property!values!and!voluntary!purchase!!Numerous!submissions!requested!some!compensation!for!the!potential!loss!of!property!value!due!to!changes!in!noise,!overshadowing!or!visual!outlook.!Others!suggested!a!voluntary!purchase!scheme!should!be!established.!



Compensation,!property!values!and!voluntary!purchase! 27%!

14.2 Impacts!on!business!Feedback!was!received!on!the!need!to!ensure!there!was!no!adverse!impact!on!businesses!in!the!local!area.!Comments!covered!a!broad!range!of!issues!from!specific!issues!about!the!siting!of!bus!stops!to!the!wider!potential!socioeconomic!effects!of!the!project!on!local!centres.!!

14.3 How!we!are!responding!to!feedback!on!property!and!business!

!!

!





IND

IVID

UAL

PROP

ERTI

ES

& B

USI

NES

SES



CON

STR

UCT

ION


K1 Providing derailment barriers on the elevated rail structure to provide assurance on public safety.

SAFE

TY IS

SUES

!!


!

15 Legal!process!15.1 Environmental!assessment!Submissions!on!this!issue!queried!the!level!of!environmental!assessment!being!undertaken!as!part!of!the!current!approval!process!and,!specifically,!why!other!forms!of!environmental!assessment!weren’t!being!undertaken.!



Environmental!assessment! 2%!

Response*

The!project!requires!approvals!under!the!Planning&and&Environment&Act&1987.!There!is!no!requirement!to!prepare!an!environment!effects!statement!for!this!project.!!

15.2 Project!approvals!Some!submissions!questioned!the!process!by!which!the!project!would!be!approved!and!whether!it!was!in!accordance!with!the!local!planning!schemes!of!the!respective!councils!along!the!Caulfield!to!Dandenong!corridor.!



Project!approvals! 1%!

Response*

Most!of!the!project!will!occur!within!the!existing!rail!reserve,!which!is!already!zoned!for!transport!purposes.!Under!this!zone,!use!and!development!of!the!land!in!association!with!transport!does!not!require!a!planning!permit.!Some!permits!will!be!required,!for!example!where!it!passes!through!a!flood!inundation!area,!or!where!a!heritage!overly!applies.!!

LXRA!intends!to!request!the!Minister!for!Planning!to!apply!a!site!specific!provision!within!the!relevant!planning!schemes.!This!is!the!same!planning!process!that!has!facilitated!other!level!crossing!removals.!

!!


!

16 Safety!issues!16.1 Derailment!!Comments!were!received!about!the!potential!for!derailment!of!freight!and!passenger!trains!on!the!elevated!rail!structure!and!the!potential!impact!on!surrounding!homes.!Questions!were!also!raised!on!how!passengers!would!be!evacuated!safely!from!a!train!that!had!derailed!or!broken!down!on!the!elevated!rail!structure.!



Derailment! 7%!

16.2 Other!health!and!safety!impacts!!The!submissions!raised!a!variety!of!other!comments!related!to!health!and!safety,!mainly!specific!to!the!operation!of!the!elevated!rail!and!utilities!such!as!the!Longford!gas!pipeline.!



Other!health!and!safety!impacts! 5%!

16.3 How!we!are!responding!to!feedback!on!safety!

!Enhanced initiative in reference design


CON

STR

UCT

ION





IND

IVID

UAL

PROP

ERTI

ES

& B

USI

NES

SES


K1 Ensuring barriers on the elevated rail structure will protect against derailment, to provide assurance on public safety.

K2 Providing station precinct lighting, CCTV and wayfinding to ensure public safety at stations and surrounding public spaces.

K3 Including Victoria Police in an expert panel to consider design elements and public safety.

SAFE

TY IS

SUES

!!


!

17 Construction!impacts!17.1 Disruption!during!the!construction!phase!!Comments!were!received!about!the!need!to!minimise!disruption!during!the!construction!phase,!particularly!in!areas!like!noise!and!vibration,!dust!and!traffic.!!

Submissions!raised!questions!about!impacts!on!local!businesses!and!the!need!to!ensure!that!adequate!measures!were!put!in!place!to!maintain!support!for!businesses!while!construction!was!being!carried!out!(see!also!Section!14).!



Disruption!during!the!construction!phase! 9%!

17.2 How!we!are!responding!to!feedback!on!construction!impacts!

!!





IND

IVID

UAL

PROP

ERTI

ES

& B

USI

NES

SES



CON

STR

UCT

ION


K1 Providing derailment barriers on the elevated rail structure to provide assurance on public safety.

SAFE

TY IS

SUES

!!


!

18 Future!capacity!18.1 Catering!for!third!or!fourth!tracks!!Feedback!was!received!on!the!proposed!designs!and!the!need!to!not!cater!future!third!and/or!fourth!tracks!on!the!Cranbourne!Pakenham!line.!These!submissions!generally!fell!into!one!of!three!areas:!

! Questions!about!whether!the!design!would!preclude!a!third!and!fourth!track!in!the!future.!! Questions!on!why!the!third!and!fourth!tracks!were!not!being!delivered!as!part!of!this!project.!! Comments!on!the!additional!impacts!of!a!third!and!fourth!track!and!why!these!were!not!part!of!the!current!

consultation!program.!



Future!capacity! 18%!

Response*

The!scope!of!the!Cranbourne]Pakenham!line!upgrade!project!relates!to!the!existing!two!tracks,!however!the!design!specifically!does!not!preclude!future!expansion!of!the!rail!line!should!the!decision!be!made!to!expand!the!capacity.!

!

Authorised and published by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne

levelcrossings.vic.gov.au

CONSULTATION OUTCOMES AND SUBMISSIONS REPORT - Level Crossing Removal Project · 2016-04-22 ·...

Documents

Transcript of CONSULTATION OUTCOMES AND SUBMISSIONS REPORT - Level Crossing Removal Project · 2016-04-22 ·...